can u damage your computer by not shutting down properly

[changsterdj]

If your computer isn't prone to errors or anything like that, I wouldn't worry about it...

As everyone else has been saying, every once in a while is fine... and if things (applications, processes, things saving) were functioning while your friend hit the power button... there could be some problems.

he did when there were programs running & I kinda tripped out at him

 

[Harper]

The only damaged that I have really seen with laptop and not shutting down properly is when people turn off their laptop and immediately start packing it it no a laptop carry bag. I have seen plently of people kill hard drives that way.

When shutting down laptop, i tend to give the laptop another 15 to 30 seconds to allows the hard drive to stop spinning. Because of the central fusion forces of the drive spinning around, they normally do not like it when they get turn 90 degrees. However as SSD come more common, I am sure we are going to see less of this.